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Nov 30, 2023

Clemson's Bringinstool becomes the man at TE for Tigers

Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool (9) figures to be a large piece of the offensive puzzle for the Tigers in 2023. Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina CLEMSON — At a position where coaches drool over the

Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool (9) figures to be a large piece of the offensive puzzle for the Tigers in 2023. Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina

CLEMSON — At a position where coaches drool over the most hybrid of blockers and pass-catchers, Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool is well-spliced.

He's listed at 6-foot-6, 232 pounds. But Briningstool, nicknamed "Drago" in high school after the villain in Rocky IV, will say he's closer to 6-7.

He tall enough to win his share of jump balls, but the Brentwood, Tenn., native also is a long-strider who can get open in space on the football field.

And while he doesn't have the thickest frame, Briningstool, who rushed the passer as a prep star, has never been averse to contact.

"There’s not a lot of Briningstools running around to go recruit," Clemson tight ends coach Kyle Richardson said. "His body, his skillset, his athleticism, is really not normal for a tight end."

That rare container of an athlete was considered the No. 1 tight end in his recruiting class in 2021, but Briningstool was one half of a tight-end duo in his first two seasons at Clemson. There just happened to be a 6-6, 245-pound upperclassman named Davis Allen, now with the L.A. Rams, who commanded a significant presence in the tight end room.

In 2021 and '22, Allen combined for 67 catches for 648 yards, while Briningstool followed three catches for 67 yards as a freshman with another 25 receptions for 285 yards as a sophomore.

But now there is no one ahead of Briningstool in his ascendance, and it's time to see what kind of step his long legs can take as the Tigers' No. 1 tight end. It's a role Clemson coach Dabo Swinney knows the junior has always wanted.

"He’s got two years left, and he could be as good as we’ve had — or the best," Swinney said. "He's got that type of ability in him."

For a school that's produced a Mackey Award winner in Dwayne Allen, and a back-to-back Mackey finalist in Jordan Leggett, that's not a small statement. And it's not impractical, given Briningstool's skillset, and given the various ways Garrett Riley's offense can find matchups for its playmakers.

"I think just Coach Riley coming in, he's establishing who the playmakers are, and kind of figuring out cool ways to get them the ball, and letting them do their thing," Briningstool said. "Stepping back from more of like a 'This is what you have to do' and letting guys play freely."

There are fewer formations in this scheme, which makes it easier for athletes to play and not think. And it's harder for defenses to diagnose what's coming, especially with a versatile athlete like Briningstool in the game.

If defenses are keen on defending the Air Raid-inspired deep shots in Clemson's passing game, the coaching staff has faith that Briningstool gives them a willing blocker who can muscle a defender. If they load up the box and suck in to combat a "Dirt Raid" featuring running backs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, Briningstool presents a nearly 6-7 matchup problem for linebackers and safeties.

"It’s still being able to run your entire system without having to set up some tendencies," Richardson said, "and he’s a big-time tendency breaker with what he brings to the table."

At the onset of fall camp, Richardson said he believed a metaphorical lightswitch had flipped on for Briningstool in the previous six months. He was always diligent in the weight room, but Briningstool needed to commit to the nutritional piece to put on an additional five pounds for this season.

Briningstool needed to maximize himself, because he is by far the most experienced player in a tight end room that features only one other player, Sage Ennis, with a collegiate catch. And Ennis, a redshirt junior, has only three.

"He’s got his body in a really great spot, he’s worked really hard," Swinney said of Briningstool. "He’s matured. He’s smart. He doesn’t make a lot of mental errors, he has elite ball skills and he’s hyper competitive."

"Hopefully, he can stay healthy," Swinney said, "and if he does you’re going to see that No. 9 making a lot of plays this year."

After a couple of years as Allen's wingman, Briningstool has been set up with a chance for a starring role. The wait was just "God's timing," the tight end said.

While there are questions about Clemson's offense going into a Sept. 4 opener at Duke, the Tigers have projected confidence.

They have seen big plays in practice versus their own defense. Briningstool, in particular, has seen how operating in concert with Cade Klubnik, Shipley, and Mafah in the backfield, and receivers like Beaux Collins, Antonio Williams, and Adam Randall, can bust him open.

Defenses can try their best to play Whac-A-Mole, but they might have a hard time bopping Clemson's 6-7 tight end into submission.

"I think that’s the most exciting part," Briningstool said. "Across the middle, I don’t think there’s a way you can stop all the playmakers we have. I think it will be good for our offense. And it will be a good time."

As fall camp concluded, Swinney wasn't setting any limits on his tight end, stating simply, "Sky’s the limit for this guy."

Follow Jon Blau on Twitter @Jon_Blau. Plus, receive the latest updates on Clemson athletics, straight to your inbox, by subscribing to The Tiger Take.

Who: Clemson at Duke

When: 8 p.m., Sept. 4

Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C.

TV: ESPN

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